Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto/Boruto (obviously).

A/N at the end.

Prologue

She was vulnerable, but she hadn't acknowledged it… partly because she didn't want to and was afraid. She thought if she admitted it, then it would become a truth that she didn't have the strength to embrace. Her fear was illogical though. When she finally regretted not taking the necessary measures, it was already too late.

He had run into her by coincidence… or perhaps by fate? She would wistfully think that to herself, so there would be a purpose in what they did, a justification for their ultimate downfall: Maybe it was simply meant to be.

Their chanced encounters morphed into occasional rendezvous. Before she knew it, a routine was established. Surprisingly, her daughter seemed to have taken a liking toward him as well. So she figured there was no harm.

But then the emotional and physical needs inevitably came.

He was the least likely person that she ever thought to run to for solace, but at least he was there.

It had started with innocent acts. She would pinch the corner of his sleeve and hesitantly rest her forehead against his shoulder blade. He would stiffen but not enough for her to notice.

"Is this okay?" She would ask for permission, her tone sounding strained and abashed.

"It is." He nodded mechanically, his wary expression hidden from her. Why wouldn't it be? She was clearly miserable. It was within acceptable confine to provide support as a friend… if one could even call it that.

So they would stay like that for a minute, two minutes, five minutes… it didn't matter.

Because it was fine.

Because they did it as friends, who—as he was taught—offer companionship and comfort to each other during times of distress. He had convinced himself too.

Even so, that boundary seemed to blur quickly.

Then the needs became urgent and insatiable by the simple things.

Then came the scandal.

He was single; she was not. Somehow, he seemed to be more experienced than she—a married woman—was, in the art of intimacy.

There was guilt, shame, and self-disgust, naturally. But they would be temporarily forgotten as long as they were together. Their bodies moving together rhythmically was enough to banish all these nauseating thoughts into oblivion.

It was only after the acts that these sickening feelings would resurface, seemingly more on her part than his. It had become a cycle, and it was really not healthy, she figured.

Even so, both grew numb eventually.

And then came the consequences, among them was the first time that one of her best friends lost his temper, at her:

"Whatever is going on between you and Gaara, it needs to stop."

"What do you mean?"

"Sakura, I can only manage the rumors in the office corridors for so long."

"This is none of your business, Naruto."

"Damn right it's my business when it's about my best friends!"

She grimaced at the recollection.

This…

Was bound to be a disaster.

Suppressing the dreadful premonition, she forced her mind to the present. They were now lying in his bed panting faintly and staring at the dark ceiling. She turned to her side. Facing him, she studied his profile in earnest. She reached out to push away some red strands that stuck to his sweaty forehead, making his signature tattoo visible. She stared at the kanji character with interest.

"Why are you not married yet?" she asked.

"I'm not in a rush," he answered her, eyes unmoving from the upward direction.

Brushing against his tattoo with her slim fingers, she whispered, "Love… Have you found it yet?"

"No."

At his terse answer, she returned to her back and sighed. "I suppose me either."

"Is that so?" He propped himself up on one elbow. It was his turn to study her.

"I thought I had found it. Then I thought I lost it. But now… I think maybe it was never there to begin with." Bitterness was evident in her voice.

"That's tragic," he commented.

She gave him a wry smile. "I know, right? I hope you don't end up like me."

"I…"

He was now gazing directly into her curious eyes. Intense turquoise met brilliant emerald.

"—certainly hope not." Dipping his head down, he kissed her.

A/N: This drabble came to me on the spur of the moment. I was almost going to make it a (more expansive) stand-alone, but my plot bunnies were quite active and I ended up planning out a multi-chapter story. So I decided to turn this into the prologue, giving you readers a little tease of what's to come.